Dreams Riviera Cancun 2016 Bride Questions/help!

[AmberDee]

HELLO!

 

This is my first topic-but so far I LOVE this site! I am getting married in September in 2016 at the Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort. Overall, so far I will say that I have been frustrated that Angela is not responding to my email questions! However--a lot of you are saying it's because it's too far out and they will talk to me more 3 months before. That is HARD for a planner like me, but I'll be OK with it!

 

One main QUESTION please!  My Ceremony in on the BEACH at 6pm. This was suggested by my travel agent (with a 7pm cocktail hour on the BEACH to follow). I figured, the ceremony will be 30 minutes, photos for 30 minutes, and then at the cocktail hour we will do our first dances and the speeches.

 

QUESTION: Will it be dark at 6pm? I don't want it to be dark for my ceremony!

 

After the cocktail hour, my plan is to grab my guests and go to one of the restaurants for dinner. I know we won't be seated ALL together, but we can eat and chat there. I asked if we could make reservations for dinner and at first they said no. However, I now have 68 confirmed guests, so I hope they will let me make a reservation, other wise I'll have to send a Bridesmaid up to the restaurant around 7:45 and say "68 for dinner, please!" After dinner, I figured we would all go to the bar that is open until 2am and dance and drink, and people can leave whenever they want.

 

One more QUESTION-- in September--will it be crazy crowded?

 

THANKS everyone for your input!

-AD

 

[dreamweddings]

@@AmberDee 6pm is the time we suggest for our summer weddings,  why?  you will get some beautiful sunset picture.sun starts to set around 6:35pm so you will have a cooler ceremony.  it gets dark around 7:30pm.

 

September has no major school holiday, so nope, its actually low season resorts are not at a 100% occupancy.

 

 

Happy Planning!

Joyce

[acw271011]

@AmberDee  Congrats! Dreams resorts seem to have good reviews!

 

I'm curious about one thing - why would you not put together a proper dinner for all your guests? That may be rather awkward just showing up and asking for seating for 68 people, and my concern would be depending on the time, they may turn you away, or seat some of you but not all of you. That would concern me for your guests. I know it's an all inclusive but that's a large number to try to seat all at once. The restaurant would need time to set up I would think, and if it's at a popular time, they may just tell you to come back or have you stand around and wait.

 

The other thing I noted was that you mentioned only 30 minutes for photos. I can guarantee that isn't enough time, especially if you have 68 guests!! Don't you want family photos, or individual photos with parents or whatever? Then of course there are the photos of just the bride and groom. The photographer will generally ask for a minimum of one hour and longer if you have specific photos that you want taken.

 

Same thing with your cocktail hour. I'm thinking trying to squeeze your dances and speeches into 30 minutes is going to be really tight. Are people going to stand around for half an hour, or are you going to arrange seating for them? What are you doing for music? Do you have a DJ?

 

You don't say what date in September you're getting married. That will determine how much daylight you have. The sunset starts at the beginning of the month at about 7pm and by the end of September it's 6:30 pm. We renewed our vows in Mexico last October 20th and by about 6:15 the sun was starting to set. The difference there is that the sun goes down very, very quickly and it gets dark fast. Even if you are at the beginning of September and have a 6pm ceremony and go with your proposed time frame, by 7pm it will be dark so your cocktail reception will be finishing when it's dark.

 

Just a couple of things for you to think about. The other thing when emailing the resort - try to put all of your questions in order in one email and it makes it easier for the coordinator to respond. I'm a bit surprised you haven't received any communication. Generally you'll get a confirmation or something that says when they'll get in touch with you.

 

Good luck!

[AmberDee]

@@acw271011

 

Thank you for your post!

 

I am hoping to get a reservation in the restaurant so it isn't "68 for dinner!" I am still waiting to hear back. unfortunately, I don't think I have the budget for a private reception when you take into account all of the extras. I'm still contemplating!

 

The cocktail hour will be an hour, not 30 minutes-- I would do the speeches and first dance there if we don't have a private reception, otherwise there really isn't a good place for that. The cocktail hour  comes with tables and a table of appetizers, and waiters walking around with food, and a bar and a  sound system- so that will be great!

 

I appreciate the comment about photos- I didn't realize it would take so long! definitely a lot to think about!

 

THANK YOU!!

 

AD

[Moments That Matter]

Welcome to our forum community AmberDee and Congrats on your DRC wedding coming up!!!

 

There's a range of sunset times in Sept....as you can see at our webpage link here: Mexico weather / sunset times

Sept 1, the sun sets at 7:03pm and by Sept 30 it sets at 6:36pm, so you can check the exact sunset time on your chosen wedding day date - to be sure exactly when it sets on that day.

 

We recommend to our wedding couples to have a timeline that gives them 1 to 1.5 hrs before sunset to shoot newlywed photos. That way we can capture the GOLDen light that makes such awesome images!!!

 

Here's what we're talking about.....taken from our MTM Blog posts....b/c after all, a picture is worth a thousand words....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wishing you happy research, and all the best with your plans - cheers!!! team MTM

Edited February 11, 2016 by Moments That Matter

[AmberDee]

@@MomentsThatMatter

 

THANK YOU! Those photos are gorgeous! Okay so sunset is around 7pm, so my ceremony should be 5pm or 5:30pm. Got it!

 

Also--your photos are gorgeous, I'll have to check out your website!

 

AD

[Moments That Matter]

 

@@MomentsThatMatter

 

THANK YOU! Those photos are gorgeous! Okay so sunset is around 7pm, so my ceremony should be 5pm or 5:30pm. Got it!

 

Also--your photos are gorgeous, I'll have to check out your website!

 

AD

 

You're very welcome, AmberDee!!! we appreciate your accolades and yes pls, check us out! ...we're now offering video services too....just in time for Valentine's Day - Love!!!

 

Maria & David's Xcaret wedding video

Edited February 12, 2016 by Moments That Matter

[tlwarren]

@@acw271011

 

Thank you for your post!

 

I am hoping to get a reservation in the restaurant so it isn't "68 for dinner!" I am still waiting to hear back. unfortunately, I don't think I have the budget for a private reception when you take into account all of the extras. I'm still contemplating!

 

The cocktail hour will be an hour, not 30 minutes-- I would do the speeches and first dance there if we don't have a private reception, otherwise there really isn't a good place for that. The cocktail hour  comes with tables and a table of appetizers, and waiters walking around with food, and a bar and a  sound system- so that will be great!

 

I appreciate the comment about photos- I didn't realize it would take so long! definitely a lot to think about!

 

THANK YOU!!

 

AD

 

I am getting married at Dreams on May 24th and have started the planning process with our wedding coordinator already. Based on my experiences with the resort so far, I highly doubt they will bend the rules and give you a reservation for 68. That is about the size of my wedding, and they have been "nickel and diming" for everything! If you want a "semi-private event", they still charge $15 per person for setup, and only offer a set menu, I hope they work with you, but I wouldn't count on them throwing in any extras that they normally charge for. 

[jenna85]

Just sharing my wedding video highlights.

 

Wedding date: 01/23/2016

Dreams Riviera Cancun

(Ultimate Package)

Ceremony: gazebo 4PM

Cocktail hour: jacuzzi 6PM

Reception: ballroom 7PM

Hair and makeup: Styling Trio (Adrian)

Photographer: Sarani Weddings (Lunic)

Videographer: Sarani Weddings

DJ: DJ Mauricio

Wedding coordinator: Maira Gomez

 

https://vimeo.com/160636262

[jmeyer]

Hello!

I am getting married at Dreams on July 8, 2017.  I am having the ceremony on the beach at 6, cocktails and dinner on the deck at 7p and 8p.  The ceremony will be 20 minutes and we will take pictures afterwards.  Sunset is at 730.  I want to take pictures with my family before cocktail hour and then I will take pictures with my husband.  I don't mind missing most of cocktail hour so I can take pictures.  I'm just not sure if this is enough time.  6pm was the recommended time due to the heat and sunset time, but I was wondering if I should move the ceremony time up 30 min so we aren't rushed to take pictures before the light runs out.  

Also, I am trying to make a decision about the food.  I haven't been assigned a WC yet since my wedding is more than a year away so I don't know who to ask.  Do each of the guests have to choose their entree ahead of time or is it an option to let them make their selection on the spot.  Also, I was curious as to the buffet options.  Are there different themed buffets, and how are they?  Would you recommend the buffet or plated dinner?  

So excited but so nervous at the same time! I appreciate any advice.  Thanks!